LEADERSHIP MATTERS by Darrell Ingram
As we find ourselves fighting the heat of another Texas summer, we want to report on something remarkable that has been happening in our area. Several churches within the TEBA have voluntarily partnered together in an effort to get the gospel deeper into their local communities. Two churches in particular have been leading this charge within our association for several years: West Conroe Baptist Church and First Montgomery Baptist Church. Each summer, they recruit scores of volunteers from within their congregations to love loudly in their respective communities by performing various acts of random kindness – all with the intention of being the hands and feet of Jesus and sparking gospel conversations with people who may never darken the doors of their churches. I have personally participated in some of these events with my family and have always been in awe of watching regular people with no formal theological training being used by God to advance his kingdom. And a funny thing happens when they step out in faith: it emboldens them to want to do more.
This is the genesis of Cross TEBA. Our desire is for other churches within the TEBA to franchise this in their own communities in collaboration with other churches. The pilot program this summer has already yielded some terrific results. The Church at Alden Bridge kicked things off with Cross Alden Bridge, employing a world-class chef to cook and feed meals to underserved individuals in the Woodlands, which resulted in several gospel conversations and prayers, one of which took place with a Muslim. Elsewhere, a large portion of Magnolia’s First’s congregation participated in a community-wide prayer walk, asking God to awaken hearts to their need for the gospel.
Cross Cleveland was the location of the greatest collaboration amongst churches. Teams from Cleveland’s First Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist, and Rural Shade Baptist Church partnered together in various projects. As the congregants of these churches fanned out across the area (taking one team as far away as Livingston), lives were impacted. I saw adults and youth cleaning up houses, doing yard work for widows, changing out toilets, painting, creating rock gardens, serving in a clothes closet, handing out gift bags, and many other things that brought smiles of joy to the recipients and bonded those who served. I even heard of an 80-year-old church member who climbed onto a house and personally repaired the roof of a widower. As those churches now follow up on new relationships built, the overarching question on people’s minds is ‘what can we do next?’
Friends, once your congregants get outside the four walls of the church and serve together, it becomes infectious. This is our desire for your church as well. If your church would like to initiate this in your community or partner with one of these churches next summer, the TEBA is here to direct you. Meanwhile, please join these churches in praying for those individuals impacted by these volunteers, that they would indeed ponder their eternal destination and say yes to Jesus.
A big THANK YOU to each of the TEBA churches that participated this year!
West Conroe – Cross Conroe 1
West Conroe – Cross Conroe 2
West Conroe – Cross Conroe 3
West Conroe Blessing Bags – Cross Conroe
Cross Alden Bridge
Cross Alden Bridge – Professional Chef Serves
Cross Alden Bridge 3
Cleveland’s First- Cross Cleveland
Cleveland’s First Youth Helping a Widow – Cross Cleveland
Cleveland’s First 3- Cross Cleveland
No Age Limit on Showing Christ’s Love
Cleveland’s First Packing Meals – Cross Cleveland
Calvary Baptist – Painting Ramp – Cross Cleveland
Calvary Baptist – Painting Porch- Cross Cleveland
Calvary Baptist – Rock Garden- Cross Cleveland
